“Sikh Mental Health & Wellbeing” Conference

Friday 14 September 2012

@ The Tower Ballroom, Reservoir Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 9EE, UK (9:30am – 4:30pm)

To register email: sikhwellbeing@gmail.com

Welcome. Join us on a very special journey to be part of a new grassroots-led movement to understand prevailing stigma, superstitions, taboos and discrimination within the Sikh, Punjabi and South Asian communities. You will also contribute to the development of a national prevention and early intervention strategy for addressing mental illness in these communities. We invite you to be part of this unique event, collectively engaging with local, regional and national professionals, faith leaders, clinicians, service users and carers to develop best practice in mental health interventions for these communities.

Background Based on the national mental illness statistics, 1 in 4 people in the UK will suffer at least one diagnosable episode of mental illness this year alone – this translates into some 200,000 Sikhs or over 900,000 South Asians from every background. Sadly, cultural practices and Asian value systems and traditions can exacerbate the negative impact of mental illness because of how it is perceived by families, friends, clinicians and sometimes by the service user him/herself. Mental illness stigma, superstitions, taboos and discrimination often result in South Asians not receiving timely or appropriate access to mental health services and tend to come into services in crisis. Disseminating the message to South Asians that mental illness affects all communities regardless of age, creed, gender, nationality or status continues to be a huge challenge.

Aims of the Conference This national conference will raise awareness, in an open and honest way, about attitudes to mental illness in the Sikh, Punjabi and South Asian communities. The conference will explore key issues and practical solutions in a bid to create a national prevention and early intervention strategy for addressing mental illness stigma, superstitions, taboos and discrimination within the Sikh, Punjabi and South Asian communities. In addition, collectively utilising the power of faith organisations, professionals, patients, carers and community networks, we want to send out a loud and clear message to the Sikh, Punjabi and South Asian communities that there is nothing to fear and/or be ashamed about mental illness because it affects all communities regardless of age, creed, gender, nationality or status. With timely access and appropriate supports available, people can recover completely or can manage the illness and go on to live full and fulfilling lives.

Why Attend? Whatever your background and profession; the conference is a great opportunity to: √ Raise awareness and understanding, in an

open and honest way about South Asian cultures, values and attitudes to mental illness, especially in the Sikh/Punjabi community

√ Explore new ways of intervention such as

the Sikh Model of Coaching/Mentoring to complement existing counselling/therapies

√ Examine new strategies which encourage

faith communities to challenge mental illness stigma and discrimination and develop a stronger response at a local, regional and national level

√ Provide a platform at local, regional and

national level for professionals, faith leaders, clinicians, service users and carers so that they engage with each other collectively in developing best practice in mental health interventions

√ Increase awareness and understand the

role Sikh religious/spiritual beliefs can play in managing mental illness and wellbeing

√ Explore ways of addressing mental health

stigma, taboos and prejudice in the Sikh/Punjabi Diaspora as well as providing timely and appropriate access to mental health services

√ Help develop innovative and practical

prevention and early intervention responses appropriate to South Asians

√ Take ideas and positive messages about

mental illness to our respective communities, family and friends and professional services

Speakers Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh (Chair - Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha) Sadhu Singh Gill (Chair - Sikh Health & Wellbeing Trust) Harjinder Singh Bahra (Human Rights Lawyer and Executive Director - Sikh Health & Wellbeing Trust) Inderjit Singh Bhogal (Wellbeing Leadership Coach and Director - Sikh Aid International) Professor Swaran P Singh (Head of Division, Mental Health and Wellbeing, University of Warwick Medical School) Professor Patrick Geoghegan (Chief Executive - South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust) Peter Gilbert (Emeritus Professor of Social Work and Spirituality at Staffordshire University and Project Lead for the National Spirituality and Mental Health Forum) Lakhvir Rellon (Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust) Simran Kaur Khinder (Diverse Cultures Community Support Team Manager - South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust) Sachdev Singh Seyan (JP and Senior Community Engagement Worker - Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) Dr Panthratan Singh Grewal (Consultant Psychiatrist) Sue Turner (Chief Executive - Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust) Dr Neil Deuchar (Associate Medical Director - NHS Midlands and East and Commissioning Lead at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Co-Chair of the Joint Commissioning Panel for Mental Health)

How to Book This is a free event, but we have limited places due to capacity. To book your place, please email Harjinder Singh Bahra at sikhwellbeing@gmail.com Please state you name, profession/job role/area of work, contact details and any access and dietary requirements.

About the Sikh Health & Wellbeing Trust (SHWT) The Sikh Health & Wellbeing Trust is a new not-for-profit organisation with the objectives of promoting the health and wellbeing of the Sikh/Punjabi community in the UK through education and training, research and development, capacity and leadership building within and outside of the Sikh, Punjabi and South Asian communities. We aim to support those working in local communities, NHS, commissioning and public health to develop better and appropriate prevention and early intervention strategies, tools, training and knowledge base. This important conference has been organised by SHWT with the generous financial and in-kind support from Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), Sikh Aid International, Tower Ballroom, Nishkam Civic Association (NCA), South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT), Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT), East End Foods, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice and the Sikh Directory.

Who should attend? Academics and Researchers Community Development Workers (CDWs) Community Cohesion & Engagement Officers Community Support Groups (e.g. Domestic Violence, Alcohol and Substance Misuse, Mixed Anxiety and Depression, Befriending and Mentoring) CAMS, AMHPs & Community Support Teams Chaplains from all faiths Clinicians, Counsellors, Psychologists & Psychiatrists Community Leaders Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) Directors of Public Health Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Practitioners Equality Delivery System (EDS) Practitioners Faith Leaders Faith Organisations Foundation Trust CEs GPs LINks and Health and Wellbeing Boards Human Resources & Wellbeing Leads in the Workplace Mental Health Services - Providers and Charities NHS Chief Executive & Commissioners NHS Commissioning Support Services (CSS) Patients and Carers Police & Probation Officers Public Health Practitioners Social Care Providers Social Workers Social Inclusion Officers South Asian Disadvantaged Individuals & Groups (e.g. LGBT, Learning Disabilities and those affected by Caste) Voluntary Sector Organisations

Sponsorship & Stall Booking This conference is a great opportunity for your organisation. If you wish to sponsor the conference and/or book a stall, contact Inderjit Singh Bhogal at isbhogal@yahoo.com